To Robots and Beyond for TIGER TECH

Well before building their robot, South Plainfield High School’s TIGER TECH Robotics Team, a FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition (FRC®) team, has already hit the ground running this school year. During this summer, members of the 2014-2015 team offered community outreach assistance for Camp Invention, and participated in South Plainfield’s “Christmas in July” and Labor Day events. Since the start of this school year, members have guest spoke at the South Plainfield Business Association and Town hall, and participated at the recent DECA and Tennis Team’s Tint Sprint and UNICO Blood Drive events, all while executing a fantastic recruiting effort within the high school, bringing the diverse team count to over 60 members strong and meeting twice a week.

Launched in the 2014-2015 school year and now in their second year, TIGER TECH’s objective continues to be fostering a love for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), as well as build upon authentic 21st Century skills for students to become technological leaders in our community and beyond. “The Varsity Sport for the Mind™, FRC® combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real-world engineering” as a student can get.

At the PROS vs JOES Basketball Tournament, members of the NFL Alumni Association PROS and local South Plainfield Tournament Teams playing off against one another.

On Oct. 13th, the Team was invited to attend the CitiBank Technology Expo at the Warren, NJ campus, which featured (6) FIRST® Robotics Competition teams from across central Jersey, for Exhibition Showcase Alliance matches. CitiBank, as with other large corporations, is realizing the importance of cultivating young minds through STEM initiatives and wants to lend their support to the emerging workforce. Then on Oct 17th, TIGER TECH teamed up with Dreams for Kids, Inc. in order to raise funds for the 2016 FIRST Robotics Competition. The PROS vs JOES tournament was held at South Plainfield High School Gym. The evening was filled with multiple matchup games between the NFL Alumni Association Pros and our local tournament teams that included a special VIP Meet-&-Greet Reception, Halftime Exhibition Showcase Alliance match, and so much, much more. Most importantly, the community came out for a fun filled event with positive messages.

TIGER TECH still has much to do before the build-season, which Kicks-Off on January 9th, 2016, followed by the FRC® Competitions. For now the main goal of team members will be securing corporate sponsorships, recruiting for local professional (mechanical, electronic, and computer) engineering mentors and continue team building exercises. Anyone interested in volunteering, mentoring, or sponsoring the South Plainfield High School TIGER TECH Robotics Team, should contact Lead Advisor Lisa Tenenbaum at ltenenbaum@spboe.org.

At the PROS vs JOES Basketball Tournament, members of the NFL Alumni Association PROS and members of the TIGER TECH Robotics Team.

In support of its mission, the Education Foundation hosts a number of events annually to raise both money and awareness for the scholarship funding needs in South Plainfield.